Beyond the dreamgate | A Caspian love story

Chapter 2

I felt a warm feeling on my face. I opened my eyes, but I instantly closed it when there was a blinding light going right into my eyes. I placed my hand in front of my eyes to block out the sun.

Wait, sun?

My eyes flew open and I sat upright. My eyes almost bulge out at the view I was seeing. The view was bright and sharp. The colours were vibrant. It wasn't like a normal dream where everything is a little bit blurry. No, this wasn't like that.

I swept my eyes over the field I was laying in. The grass was green and soft. The trees stood tall in the wispy wind.

The sun stood high in the bright blue sky.

At the end of my feet was a pond. I tilted my head slightly in confusion. I placed my hands in front of me to get up, but I instantly sat back down when I felt a sting in my hand.

"Ouch." I sat back down and I saw there was a small splinter in my hand. I pulled it out with my nails and let out a wince. I took a close look at the small splinter and turned it around in my fingers.

"Why do I feel pain?" I questioned. I was going to do the most stupid thing again. I stung myself again with the splinter but quickly moved it away when I felt a little sting.

I looked at my hand in confusion. I can remove the pain in any dream I have, even if I get shot or break a bone or something in a dream. This was all to real and way to much for me.

Before I could freak out I heard rustling behind me and heard a thin twig snap. I turned around quickly and got on my feet to see what it was.

I instantly froze in my spot. There stood a lion, bigger then I have ever seen before. My breathing was staggered and I swallowed a big lump. I slowly took a few steps back and put my hands in front of me.

If I can feel pain, then this will be way worse. Is this how I am going to die. I don't want to die like this. I still want my parents to know how I feel, how alone I feel. I want to explore the world. I want to write a book that everyone will enjoy. I want to live a life, a life where I could be myself.

Thoughts were going from left to right and my breathing still wasn't slowing down.

"Fear not child." The Lion spoke to me. My eyes grew wide and I stopped in my steps. I held my breath. "I am not going to hurt you."

I remained eye contact with the great Lion. Not trusting my voice or even my brain.

"You have a lot of question, don't you." I nodded my head, unsure of what was happening. Something about his voice was getting a little bit soothing. "That is why I am here."

He carried himself with so much confidence that I wish I had. I still took my stance, still thinking this is all in my head.

The Lion stood in front of me and I knew I would have been long dead, so a little part of me knew I could trust him.

"Where am I and why am I here." I said to the lion with a shaky voice. My hand were still trembling so I curled my hand up in a fist and released it slowly.

"You are near the place your heart desires." He spoke. "A place you and I call Narnia."

Out of shock I went down on my butt and inhale deeply. "Narnia." I said to myself. The realisation that I have shifted is weird. I even did it on my first try.

"Are you Aslan?" I spoke after I finally collected myself. "And did I came here because I shifted?"

"Yes." He answered both my questions and I saw a small smile forming on his face, you could see it in his eyes.

"Cool." I said back to him, not really knowing what to say. What are the chances you meet the great lion in one of your favourite books.

He let out a low chuckle at my answer that made me smile a little.

"The reason you are here is not one I can completely tell you yet." I bit my lip, not really happy with that answer. "But you are here to start something new, something fresh."

"So I am leaving everything behind?" I questioned. My family, friends, books...

"Unfortunately, yes." He spoke with a soft tone. "Unless you don't want to of course. This is not a prison."

"I am sorry for asking, but is this all real?" I asked the great Lion in front of me. "Or is it all just happening inside my head?"

"Of cores it is all happening inside your head, dear." Aslan replied to me. "But that doesn't mean it is not real."

"You sound like Professor Dumbledore." I spoke up without thinking. I realised what I said and put my hand on my lips. "I-I am so sor-"

I was interrupted by a laugh from the lion. "It is alright dear one."

"Now, are you ready to go?" I slowly nodded my head. I once again stood up and dusted off my pyjama shorts.

"Am I going to wear something else, would it be like my script." I felt stupid for not asking, but better late then sorry.

"Don't worry about what you are wearing, it will eventually be fine." He walked to the pond and glanced at it for a while. "It will not be like your script, be prepared that you will go into a country that you know, but not really. Also make sure no one knows where you are from, because you just turned 20 - use the year 1921 as the year you were born. When the time is right you can tell someone your backstory. You will know to who when the time is right."

"Great." I mumbled knowing the challenge is already set. I walked to the lion that stood at the end of the pond. I knew I had to jump in it, like Polly and Digory did in the first part of the book.

"Remember." I almost went in but his voice stopped me. "Have Courage, dear one."

I nodded at Aslan in understanding and jumped into the pond.